OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Routers Methodology v3.0
Routers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Routers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Routers Methodology v3.0

ASUS RT-BE86U review: 77 specs compared

Avg. price:~£230Wi-Fi version:Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi speed:6800 MbpsLAN port speeds:?Mesh Wi-Fi:yes

ASUS RT-BE86U Review: Compare 77 technical specifications, 12 expert and video reviews and 2 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Routers category and whether it is worth buying.

ASUS RT-BE86U
8.3/10

Overall score

Score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, expert reviews, best-of lists and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 40%, Reviews score 25%, List score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 90% of models
Score components

40%

8.8

Technical score

25%

8.1

Reviews score

25%

8.3

List score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.9, the mark of a weaker model in this category

★Better than 90% of routers
8.6

Value for money

Value for money
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 89% of models
Score components

70%

8.3

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

▲Better than 89%
8.8

Technical score

Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components

26%

9.0

Wireless

20%

7.2

Ports

18%

9.6

Networking

14%

9.6

Security

12%

9.0

Hardware

10%

8.4

Management

★Better than 97%
8.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 53% of models

80%

7.9

Average grade

20%

8.8

Popularity

Grades by review (12)
9 reviews: 6 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 53%
8.3

List score

List score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 25% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (2)
List score: in 2 of 80 lists (3%)
▲Better than 82%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the ASUS RT-BE86U

Based on 8 · 3

Reviewers like the security features and solid coverage, are split on Wi-Fi speed, and regret the missing 6 GHz band.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
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Routers model ranking

Ranked #43 of 524 models in Routers (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of router ASUS RT-BE86U

Technical score
Technical score
8.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 40% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 97% of models
Score components:

26%

9.0

Wireless

20%

7.2

Ports

18%

9.6

Networking

14%

9.6

Security

12%

9.0

Hardware

10%

8.4

Management

8.8
Reviews score
8.1
List score
8.3
Value for money
Value for money
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the router's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a router with a good balance between network performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 89% of models
Score components:

70%

8.3

Overall score

30%

9.3

Price

8.6
Brand name
ASUS
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
This router uses Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), which is more advanced than 88.2% of routers and equal to 11.8% of routers.
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz
This router supports 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, which are more versatile than 24.2% of routers and equal to 65.6% of routers.
Wi-Fi speed
6,800 Mbps
Market range: <0 Mbps – >6k Mbps
This router delivers 6,800 Mbps Wi-Fi speed, which is higher than 89.9% of routers.
Channel widths supported
20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz
This router supports 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz channel width options, which is more than 66.5% of routers and the same as 27.4% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Wi-Fi security protocols
?
DoS protection
yes
This router includes DoS protection. 9.8% of routers include DoS protection.
SPI intrusion protection
yes
This router includes SPI-based intrusion protection. 4.7% of routers include SPI-based intrusion protection.
MAC address filtering
yes
This router supports MAC address filtering. 1.7% of routers include MAC address filtering.
URL filter
yes
This router supports URL filtering. 2.6% of routers include URL filtering.
Show more
What reviewers say
IPv6 support
yes
This router supports IPv6. 8.8% of routers are IPv6-ready.
Dynamic routing
yes
This router supports dynamic routing. 54% of routers support dynamic routing.
Inter-VLAN routing
?
VLAN tagging
?
QoS
yes
This router includes QoS controls. 2.4% of routers include QoS controls.
Show more
N. of LAN ports
?
LAN port speeds
?
N. of WAN ports
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 WAN ports, which is more than 90.4% of routers and the same as 7.1% of routers.
N. of USB ports
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This router has 2 USB ports, which is more than 81.9% of routers and the same as 17.9% of routers.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
no
This router does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE). 1.7% of routers can be powered over Ethernet.
Show more
What reviewers say
Management interface
Web UI, App
This router uses Web UI, App for management, which is more advanced than 29.7% of routers and equal to 60.9% of routers.
Firmware upgrade method
Web UI, App, Automatic
This router supports Web UI, App, Automatic firmware update methods, which are more convenient than 71.9% of routers and equal to 27.2% of routers.
Traffic monitoring
yes
This router includes traffic monitoring. 13.9% of routers include traffic monitoring.
Guest Wi-Fi network
yes
This router offers a guest Wi‑Fi network. 7.3% of routers offer a guest Wi‑Fi network.
Captive portal
?
Show more
What reviewers say
CPU clock speed
4x 2.6 GHz
This router runs at 4x2.6 GHz, which is faster than 97.2% of routers and on par with 2.3% of routers.
RAM capacity
1,024 MB
Market range: <0 MB – >1k MB
This router has 1,024 MB of RAM, which is more than 83% of routers and the same as 11.6% of routers.
Internal storage
0.25 GB
Market range: <0 GB – >0.5 GB
This router has 0.25 GB of internal storage, which is more than 71.9% of routers and the same as 16.8% of routers.
Hardware acceleration
yes
This router offers hardware acceleration. 24.9% of routers offer hardware acceleration.
N. of external antennas
3
Market range: <0 – >10
This router has 3 external antennas, which is more than 57.9% of routers and the same as 11.8% of routers.
Show more
What reviewers say

ASUS RT-BE86U vs the average router

246810TotalWirelessSecurityNetworkingPortsManagementHardware
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 3.89x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (6,800 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    6,800 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • 4x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    1,024 MB vs 256 MB
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    This router supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.1% of routers support link aggregation (LACP).
  • 6.4% better value for money
    ASUS RT-BE86U has better value for money than the average router (8.59 vs 8.1).
    8.59 vs 8.08
  • 5.2% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.7 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 53% of models

    80%

    7.9

    Average grade

    20%

    8.8

    Popularity

    Grades by review (12)
    9 reviews: 6 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.1 vs 7.7
  • Newer Wi-Fi version
    This router supports a newer Wi-Fi version than the average router (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)). The average router uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
    Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) vs Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
  • 3.89x faster Wi-Fi speed
    This router has a higher Wi-Fi speed than the average router (6,800 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps). The average router reaches Wi-Fi speed of 1,750 Mbps.
    6,800 Mbps vs 1,750 Mbps
  • Supports mesh Wi-Fi
    This router supports mesh Wi-Fi, while the average router does not. 45.2% of routers support mesh Wi-Fi.
  • Supports OFDMA
    This router supports OFDMA, while the average router does not. 41.5% of routers support OFDMA.
  • 37.1% wider wireless coverage
    This router has wider wireless coverage than the average router (255 m² vs 186 m²). The average router offers wireless coverage of 186 m².
    255 m² vs 186 m²
  • Wider channel widths
    This router has a higher supported channel width than the average router (20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz). The average router supports channel width of 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz.
    20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz + 160 MHz vs 20 MHz + 40 MHz + 80 MHz
  • Supports TWT
    This router supports Target Wake Time (TWT), while the average router does not. 42.6% of routers support Target Wake Time (TWT).
  • Supports automatic failover
    This router offers automatic failover, while the average router does not. 31.2% of routers offer automatic failover.
  • Supports dynamic routing
    This router supports dynamic routing, while the average router does not. 46.1% of routers support dynamic routing.
  • Supports link aggregation (LACP)
    This router supports link aggregation (LACP), while the average router does not. 14.1% of routers support link aggregation (LACP).
  • 1 more USB ports
    This router has more USB ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 USB ports.
    2 vs 1
  • More capable NAS services
    This router includes SMB, FTP, media server, time machine NAS services, while the average router includes SMB, media server.
    SMB, FTP, media server, time machine vs SMB, media server
  • 4x more RAM
    This router has more RAM than the average router (1,024 MB vs 256 MB). The average router has 256 MB of RAM.
    1,024 MB vs 256 MB
  • Higher CPU clock speed
    This router has a higher CPU clock speed than the average router (4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz). The average router has a CPU clock speed of 2x1 GHz.
    4x2.6 GHz vs 2x1 GHz
  • 2x more internal storage
    This router has more internal storage than the average router (0.3 GB vs 0.1 GB). The average router offers 0.125 GB of internal storage.
    0.25 GB vs 0.125 GB
  • Suitable for gaming
    This router is designed for gaming, while the average router is not. 37.9% of routers are designed for gaming.
  • 5 years newer release date
    This router was released more recently than the average router (2024 vs 2019). The average router release year is 2019.
    2024 vs 2019
  • 1 more external antennas
    This router has more external antennas than the average router (3 vs 2). The average router has 2 external antennas.
    3 vs 2
  • 2.42x more expensive
    ASUS RT-BE86U is more expensive than the average router (£230 vs £95).
    £230 vs £95
  • 1 fewer WAN ports
    This router has fewer WAN ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 89.8% heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (854 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    854 g vs 450 g
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 2.42x more expensive
    ASUS RT-BE86U is more expensive than the average router (£230 vs £95).
    £230 vs £95
  • Narrower DFS range
    This router has fewer supported DFS channels than the average router (52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144). The average router supports 52-64 + 100-144 DFS channels.
    52-64 + 100-140 vs 52-64 + 100-144
  • 1 fewer WAN ports
    This router has fewer WAN ports than the average router (2 vs 1). The average router has 1 WAN ports.
    2 vs 1
  • 89.8% heavier weight
    This router is heavier than the average router (854 g vs 450 g). The average router weighs 450 g.
    854 g vs 450 g

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
EvoGrid
≈ estimated
07/09/2025
Short review · speed, features and design
Verdict
ASUS RT-BE86U is a strong upgrade for gamers and high-speed networks, though it is pricey and weaker on 2.4 GHz.
8.0
Reviewsinside
≈ estimated
29/06/2025
Hands-on review · performance, setup and value
Verdict
ASUS RT-BE86U is a powerful Wi-Fi 7 router for demanding households, though it is pricey and overkill for average users.
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Not graded
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.0
pcmag.com
✓ explicit
14/12/2024
Lab test · Dual-band Wi-Fi 7
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U is a solid Wi-Fi 7 router with fast close-range 5GHz speeds, one 10GbE port and free parental controls, but lacks 6GHz.
6.0
gizmodo.com
✓ explicit
17/07/2025
Hands-on test · Home coverage
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U covers a thick-walled old house well with fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds, and suits buyers who don't need 6GHz.
7.0
tomshardware.com
✓ explicit
22/11/2024
Lab test · Software features
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U has strong 5GHz speeds and a long list of software features, but its dual-band design can't match tri-band Wi-Fi 7 routers.
8.6
dongknows.com
✓ explicit
19/10/2024
Hands-on test · Wi-Fi 7 router
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U is a silent, straightforward Wi-Fi 7 router for buyers who skip 6GHz, reaching over 2Gbps on 5GHz in testing.
8.0
mkaugaming.com
✓ explicit
20/12/2024
Hands-on review · Security and subnets
Verdict
The ASUS RT-BE68U is a fast dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router whose real-time security monitoring and separate subnets suit homes, cafes and small businesses.
8.0
zdnet.fr
≈ estimated
30/06/2025
Hands-on test · Setup and security
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U is quick to set up and fast on a laptop, with gaming and security tools, but distant corners of an apartment may need extenders.
8.0
ilsoftware.it
≈ estimated
24/02/2025
Hands-on test · Apartment coverage
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U suits fiber users and gamers with many devices, offering strong Wi-Fi 7 coverage in an 80 square meter apartment, but lacks 6GHz.
9.0
outofbit.it
≈ estimated
24/02/2025
Hands-on test · Thick-wall coverage
Verdict
The Asus RT-BE86U gives strong coverage through thick walls in an 80 square meter apartment, suiting many connected devices, but lacks 6GHz.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about ASUS RT-BE86U

  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 up to 6,800 Mbps with MLO
  • 10G WAN/LAN port plus 2.5G options
  • Quad-core 2.6 GHz CPU with 1 GB RAM
  • Link aggregation for faster wired links
  • NAS services and USB tethering backup
  • Guest Network Pro with five SSIDs
  • Subscription-free AiProtection Pro

What customers don't like about ASUS RT-BE86U

  • No 6 GHz band
  • Only three antennas
  • Premium price
  • Dual-band speed below tri-band models

Verdict

The ASUS RT-BE86U pairs dual-band Wi-Fi 7 at up to 6,800 Mbps with a 10G WAN/LAN port. Multi-link operation uses 2.4 and 5 GHz together, and 4096-QAM raises single-band throughput. A quad-core 2.6 GHz CPU and 1 GB of RAM handle the load. Wired capacity reaches 20G, and AI WAN detection can use either the 2.5G or the 10G port. Link aggregation and NAS services (SMB, FTP, media server and Time Machine) are built in. A USB port enables 4G or 5G tethering. Guest Network Pro supports up to five SSIDs, and a mobile game mode trims lag. AiProtection Pro security comes without a subscription. There is no 6 GHz band. This premium router suits households with a 10G line, a NAS and many Wi-Fi 7 devices.

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